Ipswich Town's Wes Burns was 'everything' to fans

Fans have described winger Wes Burns as "everything" they ever wanted, as he leaves Ipswich Town for Leicester City.

Burns, 31, moved to Ipswich back in 2021 during Town's time in League One, helping take the club through three promotions, including the most recent one back up into the Premier League.

On Thursday it was announced Leicester had signed him for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, leading to an outpouring of gratitude and love from Town fans.

Fan Sandra Cunningham said she was "gutted" to see him go, but he was an "amazing player for us and a brilliant person off the pitch as well".

Cunningham said Burns had been her favourite player of the past five years.

"People go on about [Sam] Morsy, but for me Wes Burns has been absolutely everything.

"He was part of the full Kieran McKenna journey, and I think he was an absolute key part of that."

She added that Burns was a "good old-fashioned winger" and it was nice to see him reunited with Conor Chaplin at Leicester.

"Leicester fans don't know what they're getting," she continued.

"I hope they appreciate them because they are absolutely going to love those two.

"They work so well together on and off the pitch."

She added: "Wes Burns, he is the one player who epitomises everything that has happened in the last five seasons."

Rhys Gooding added that Burns was "the perfect example of what a fan asks for".

"He's honest, he works hard and he's grateful to wear the badge," he said.

"I personally would have liked to see him have another crack at the Premier League, but if anyone deserves to leave with well wishes, it's Wes.

"Burns and Chaplin are two that stand out from this era of Ipswich Town, and it will be sad to see them go, but at least they are together."

Another fan, Sam Burman, said he thought "a lot of fans would agree Burns was never going to be the focal point in our challenge to stay in the Premier League this season".

"He should be celebrated, but it was time for him to move on, and it's great he has found himself a brilliant next step in his career," he added.

Burns made 164 appearances for Town and scored 30 goals.

The club itself said many of those goals had come at "crucial moments" to help the Tractor Boys move through the divisions up into the top flight on two separate occasions in 2024 and earlier this year.

During his stint in the Premier League in 2024, Burns made 10 goal contributions across 35 appearances, and during his time with the club, he also made his international debut for Wales during the Nations League clash with Poland in June 2022.

Prior to joining the Blues, he had spent four seasons with Fleetwood Town and came up through the Bristol City youth system, with loan spells at Forest Green, Oxford, Cheltenham Town and Aberdeen.

Burns himself said Town had given him "so much" and it had been an "honour" to represent the club.

"I am grateful for the support Gary O'Neil has offered me this summer, and I wish him and the team the best as they prepare for the Premier League season," he said.

"I'll be watching from afar and will always be supporting Ipswich Town."

Town chairman, Mark Ashton, said Burns was a player able to deliver "in the biggest moments".

Analysis by Graeme Mac, BBC Suffolk sports editor

Wes Burns was the first player brought in after the takeover of the club by Gamechanger 20 in April 2021, and what a signing he proved to be.

A little over five years later, he leaves Portman Road as one of the most popular players to ever wear a Town shirt, and heads to Leicester with the best wishes of tens of thousands of Blues supporters.

Burns undoubtedly departs a club legend, having played his part in three promotion winning campaigns.

The Welsh wizard has also treated us to some incredible moments on and off the pitch.

His iconic trivela goal against Coventry in December 2023 was named EFL goal of the season, finishing off a move that was peak 'McKennaball' during the reign of Town's former manager Kieran McKenna.

He was also a joy to speak to pre- and post-match, offering great insight and humour.

Just over a year after joining Town, Burns realised a dream of playing senior international football, and two years later he became a Premier League player.

These were moments he could have only dreamt of when he first arrived in Suffolk but which he was thoroughly deserving of.

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